Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;dlfgra5&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘DLFGRA5’, characterized by its strong and upright flowering stems; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; relatively short response time; uniform and freely flowering habit; pompon inflorescences with yellow green-colored ray florets; and good postproduction longevity.

Botanical designation: Chrysanthemum X morifolium.

Cultivar denomination: ‘DLFGRA5’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Chrysanthemum X morifolium, commercially grown as a cut flower and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘DLFGRA5’.

The new Chrysanthemum plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Maasdijk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new freely-flowering cut Chrysanthemum plants with pompon inflorescences, strong flowering stems and excellent postproduction longevity.

The new Chrysanthemum plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in Maasdijk, The Netherlands in February, 2013, of a proprietary selection of Chrysanthemum X morifolium identified as code designation DB 45800, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Chrysanthemum X morifolium identified as code designation DB 45504, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Chrysanthemum plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, The Netherlands in September, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Chrysanthemum plant by terminal vegetative cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, The Netherlands since September, 2013 has shown that the unique features of this new Chrysanthemum plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature, daylength and light intcnsity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DLFGRA5’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DLFGRA5’ as a new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant:

-   -   1. Strong and upright flowering stems.     -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Relatively short response time.     -   4. Uniform and freely flowering habit,     -   5. Pompon inflorescences with yellow green-colored ray florets.     -   6. Good postproduction longevity; plants maintain good substance         for about two weeks in an interior environment.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Chrysanthemum are not as glossy         as leaves of plants of the female parent selection.     -   2. Ray florets of plants of the new Chrysanthemum are incurved         and have praemorse apices whereas ray florets of plants of the         female parent selection are straight and have acute apices.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Chrysanthemum have pompon inflorescences         whereas plants of the male parent selection have semi-double         inflorescences.     -   2. Plants of the new Chrysanthemum and the male parent selection         differ in ray floret color as plants of the male parent         selection have lighter yellow green-colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum can be compared to plants of Chrysanthemum X morifolium ‘DLFCELT5’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ from plants of ‘DLFCELT5’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Chrysanthemum and ‘DLFCELT5’ differ in ray         floret color as plants of ‘DLFCELT5’ have darker yellow         green-colored ray florets.     -   2. Ray florets of plants of the new Chrysanthemum have praemorse         apices whereas ray florets of plants of ‘DLFCELT5’ have         emarginate apices.     -   3. Plants of the new Chrysanthemum are more low temperature         tolerant than plants of ‘DLFCELT5’.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum can be compared to plants of Chrysanthemum X morifolium ‘Athos’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ from plants of ‘Athos’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Chrysanthemum and ‘Athos’ differ in ray         floret color as plants of ‘Athos’ have lighter yellow         green-colored ray florets.     -   2. Inflorescences of plants of the new Chrysanthemum have more         ray florets than inflorescences of plants of ‘Athos’.     -   3. Plants of the new Chrysanthemum have shorter peduncles than         plants of ‘Athos’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Chrysanthemum plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Chrysanthemum plant. The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering stem of ‘DLFGRA5’ grown as a spray-type. The photograph on the second sheet comprises close-up views of the lower (top of the photographic sheet) and upper surfaces (bottom of the photographic sheet) of typical inflorescences and leaves of ‘DLFGRA5’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the winter in ground beds in a glass-covered greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial cut Chrysanthemum production. Plants were initially given long day/short night treatments followed by short day/long night treatments to induce flower initiation and development. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C., night temperatures ranged from 19° C. to 20° C. and light levels averaged 8 klux. Plants were nine weeks old when the photographs and the description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum X morifolium ‘DLFGRA5’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of             Chrysanthemum X morifolium identified as code designation DB             45800, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of             Chrysanthemum X morifolium identified as code designation DB             45504, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About six days at             temperatures about 24° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About eight days at             temperatures about 22° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About twelve             days at temperatures about 24° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About two             weeks at temperatures about 22° C.         -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically light brown in             color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate             temperature and physiological age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching, medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous pompon cut flower that is             typically grown as a spray-type; upright plant habit;             moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate to             rapid growth rate.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 65             cm.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of flower plane.—About 70             cm.         -   Plant (spray) diameter.—About 103 cm.         -   Flowering stem length.—About 47.9 cm.         -   Flowering stem diameter.—About 5.5 mm.         -   Flowering stem internode length.—About 1.8 cm.         -   Flowering stem strength.—Strong.         -   Flowering stem aspect.—Erect.         -   Flowering stem texture and luster.—Densely pubescent;             slightly glossy.         -   Flowering stem color, developing.—Close to 144B.         -   Flowering stem color, developed.—Close to 146C; proximally,             strongly tinged with close to 177A.         -   Leaf description.—Arrangement: Alternate; simple. Length:             About 9.6 cm. Width: About 6.7 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Short             apiculate. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Palmately lobed,             coarsely crenate; sinuses convergent and medium to             medium-deep in depth. Texture and luster, upper surface:             Densely pubescent, not rugose; moderately velvety; matte.             Texture and luster, upper surface: Densely pubescent,             prominent venation; slightly to moderately velvety; matte.             Venation pattern: Pinnate, reticulate. Color: Developing             leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B to 137C. Developing             leaves, lower surface: Close to 138B. Fully developed             leaves, upper surface: Darker than 147A; venation, close to             144A. Fully developed leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B;             venation, close to 148C. Petioles: Length: About 2.7 cm.             Diameter: About 2.5 mm by 4 mm. Strength: Moderately strong.             Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Densely             pubescent; matte. Color, upper surface: Close to 146B;             edges, close to NN137A. Color, lower surface: Close to 146C;             edges, close to 13 8A. Stipules: Quantity and appearance:             Two leafy stipules, opposite, at the petiole attachment to             the stem. Length: About 7 mm. Width: About 8 mm. Shape:             Roughly reniform, three-lobed. Texture and luster, upper and             lower surfaces: Densely pubescent; matte. Color, upper             surface: Darker than 147A. Color, lower surface: Close to             147B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Pompon inflorescence form with             oblanceolate-shaped ray florets and tubular disc florets;             inflorescences borne perpendicular to peduncles and face             upright to slightly outwardly; ray and disc florets develop             acropetally on a capitulum.         -   Fragrance.—Faintly fragrant.         -   Flowering response.—Under natural conditions, plant flower             in the autumn/winter in the Northern Hemisphere; at other             times of the year, inflorescence initiation and development             can be induced under short day/long night conditions (at             least 13.5 hours of darkness); uniform flowering habit and             short response time, plants exposed to two weeks of long             day/short night conditions after planting followed by             photoinductive short day/long night conditions flower about             50 days later when grown as a spray-type. Postproduction             longevity: Good postproduction longevity; in an interior             environment, inflorescences and foliage will maintain good             color and substance for about two weeks; inflorescences             persistent.         -   Quantity of inflorescences.—Freely flowering habit; when             grown as a spray type, about 32 inflorescences develop per             flowering stem.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 3.7 cm. Depth (height):             About 1.7 cm. Disc diameter: About 8 mm.         -   Receptacles.—Height: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 8 mm.             Shape: Flattened globular. Color: Close to 145B.         -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 8 mm. Diameter: About             1 cm. Shape: Flattened globular. Texture and luster: Densely             pubescent; slightly glossy. Color: Close to NN137A and 156B;             towards the apex, close to 150B (immature ray florets).         -   Ray florets.—Quantity and arrangement: About 360 arranged in             about eight whorls. Length: About 1.6 cm. Width: About 3 mm.             Shape: Tubular, oblanceolate in outline. Apex: Praemorse.             Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Initially upright to             about 80° from vertical. Texture and luster, upper surface:             Smooth, glabrous; velvety; moderately glossy. Texture and             luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety;             glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 145C.             When opening, lower surface: Close to 145B; towards the             base, close to 145C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to             145A; venation, similar to lamina color; color does not fade             with development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to             144B; towards the base, close to 145A; venation, similar to             lamina color; color does not fade with development.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity and arrangement: About 40 spirally             arranged in about four whorls at the center of the             receptacle. Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm.             Shape: Lower 85% fused into a tube; upper 15% free. Apex:             Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, inner and outer             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, when opening,             inner and outer surfaces: Apex: Close to 144A. Mid-section             and base: Close to 145D. Color, fully opened, inner and             outer surfaces: Apex: Close to 144A. Mid-section and base:             Close to 1450.         -   Involucral bracts.—Quantity and arrangement: About 30             arranged in three whorls. Length: About 7 mm. Width: About             3.5 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin:             Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous;             glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface: Densely             pubescent; matte. Color, upper surface: Close to 143A;             margins, translucent, and close to 157D. Color, lower             surface: Close to NN137C; margins, translucent, close to             157D.         -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 2.3 cm.             Diameter, terminal peduncle: About 2.5 mm. Length, third             peduncle: About 3.2 cm. Diameter, terminal peduncle: About             2.5 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect, terminal peduncle: Mostly             upright. Aspect, third peduncle: About 55° from the             flowering stem axis. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent;             matte. Color: Close to 138B.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on ray and disc             florets. Quantity: About five per floret. Filament length:             About 2 mm. Filament color: Close to N144A. Anther size:             About 0.5 mm by 2 mm. Anther shape: Narrowly oblong. Anther             color: Close to 12A. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color:             Close to 17A. Gynoecium: Present on both ray and disc             florets. Quantity: One per floret. Pistil length: About             6 mm. Style length: About 5.5 mm. Style color: Close to             150B. Stigma diameter: About 1.5 mm. Stigma shape:             Three-parted, decurrent. Stigma color: Close to 5A. Ovary             color: Close to 145D.         -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed and fruit production have not been             observed on plants of the new Chrysanthemum to date. -   Disease & pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common     to Chrysanthemum plants has not been observed on plants of the new     Chrysanthemum grown under commercial conditions. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Chrysanthemum have been     observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about −12° C. to 35°     C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named ‘DLFGRA5’ as illustrated and described. 